Three Word Wednesday-The Christmas Card-Part 8

Three Word Wednesday-The Christmas Card-Part 8

Backfire; verb: (Of an engine) undergo a mistimed explosion in the cylinder or exhaust; (of a plan or action) rebound adversely on the originator; have the opposite effect to what was intended; noun: A mistimed explosion in the cylinder or exhaust of a vehicle or engine; a fire set intentionally to arrest the progress of an approaching fire by creating a burned area in its path, thus depriving the fire of fuel.

Embarrass; verb: Cause (someone) to feel awkward, self-conscious, or ashamed.

Taste; noun: The sensation of flavor perceived in the mouth and throat on contact with a substance; a small portion of food or drink taken as a sample; a person's liking for particular flavors; a person's tendency to like and dislike certain things; the ability to discern what is of good quality or of a high aesthetic standard; verb: Perceive or experience the flavor of; eat or drink a small portion of.

If you missed part one http://sheilaghlee.blogspot.ca/2012/12/three-word-wednesday-christmas-card.html

If you missed part two http://sheilaghlee.blogspot.ca/2012/12/three-wednesday-word-christmas-card.html

If you missed part three http://sheilaghlee.blogspot.ca/2013/01/three-word-wednesday-christmas-card.html 
if you missed part four http://sheilaghlee.blogspot.ca/2013/01/three-word-wednesday-christmas-card_9.html 
if you missed part five http://sheilaghlee.blogspot.ca/2013/01/three-word-wednesday-christmas-card_16.html  
if you missed part six http://sheilaghlee.blogspot.ca/2013/01/three-word-wednesday-christmas-card_23.html 
if you missed part seven http://sheilaghlee.blogspot.ca/2013/01/three-word-wednesday-christmas-card_30.html

to visit talented writers posts that post for three word Wednesday- http://www.threewordwednesday.com/

The Christmas Card-Part 8

   “Hello Roberto.”

   “Well Reverend Handlestone, what a coincidence,” Roberto answered.

   “God makes more coincidences then you think,” Reverend David replied then turning to Mildred he said “Hello, Aunt Millie.”

   “Mildred is your aunt?” asked Gracie.

   “Actually she’s mine and Alison’s great-aunt and you must be Roberto’s Grace”

   “I am, I understand you will marry us.”

   “Father closed the restaurant in a few minutes and we can then have the ceremony if you are finished with your food,” Alison said coming over.

   “Hello Maria, nice to see you again. We’ll we be seeing you more in church now?” asked David.

   “As long as I can,” Maria answered.

   “And this is?”

   “This is Roberto and Gracie’s great-granddaughter Grace Philips. My neighbour the one I wanted you to meet.”

     David’s eyes focused on Grace. He continued talking and taking off his coat at the same time never taking his eyes from Grace “Hello Grace nice to meet you. Sorry, I resisted my aunt so long in meeting you.” Then he turned momentarily to Mildred, “So you were right. Grace was the key to get them all reunited. Aunt Millie, God really had a hand in making you.”

     Grace felt embarrassed with all eyes now focused on her.

  “The lord does work in mysterious ways David,” agreed Mildred.

  “It could have backfired but it didn’t. Now, just a couple of questions for the happy couple- you both want this wedding and there are no impediments? Neither of you are married, previously married and need to produce a certificate of divorce? Now you do realize that you both have to file for a wedding licence after Christmas, and then this won’t be official until then?” David stated.

  “I work at the clerk office at city hall. I can expedite this for you,” volunteered a customer sitting at the counter.

  “You can?” Gracie asked excited.

  “Certainly, I can download the files now you can fill them out immediately then I can go to city hall and file them. I have a key,” the man said holding up the key.

  “Thank you so much this so kind of you,” Gracie gushed.

  “I couldn’t help over hearing your reunion it made me tear up and remember times with my Ruthie, god rest her soul. A love story so rich needs an ending worthy of it. I only ask that I can stay for the wedding.”

  “You’re invited young man,” Roberto stated.

      Roberto and Gracie filled out the forms after they were printed out and then David performed the brief ceremony.

     Grace loved the wedding and watching true love finally pledged. Alison and David’s father, George produced a just baked slab cake which he had somehow managed to decorate as wedding cake with a bride and groom placed on top.

  “Where did you get the bride and groom figurines at such short notice?” Grace asked.

  “It was mine,” David answered almost in a whisper.

  “David was to have occurred last year. He bought that for the wedding that didn’t happen,” Alison exclaimed looking angry. “She was a bitch anyway.”

  “Alison!!” protested David.

  “Well she was.”

  “Let’s just eat cake. I’m sure it will taste wonderful. Dad is a fabulous cook and baker,” David exclaimed changing the subject.

     Grace and Roberto cut into the cake as they all took pictures on their cell phones. George loaded the old jukebox with quarters and ‘At last’ with Etta James singing played on it.

Grace glanced over at Reverend David Handlestone and smiled. He smiled back and they began to talk. Grace found they had a lot in common and she wanted the night to never end as they danced to some music on the old jukebox. Soon the festivities came to a close as David said he had to leave to conduct Christmas Eve ceremonies at the church. David put his coat back on and hesitated for a moment.

    “Well what do you waiting for David? Ask Grace out,” Mildred insisted.

    “Aunt Millie, leave this to me,” David cried.

    “Grace will you go out with me the day after tomorrow.”

    “I’d love to I’m staying at Millie’s niece and nephew,” Grace commented.

    “I know,” David exclaimed smiling.

    “You couldn’t ask the girl out tomorrow?” Mildred complained.

    “Aunt Millie it’s Christmas. I’m going to church and then spending Christmas with my family and that means you and Grace as well since you’re staying with Mom and Dad.”

   “Good, so you can find some time to be alone tomorrow,” Millie explained.

   “You’re incorrigible Aunt Millie but I love you and thanks for introducing me to Grace.”

     Six months later, another wedding took place. Gracie, Roberto, Mildred and the rest of the family sat in a pew as David’s friend performed a ceremony to unite Grace and David, to one another. How do I know this story? My name is Sarah Grace Handleson and I am nine years old. This is the bedtime story, that my parents Grace and David tell me every night. Someday when I’m old enough, I hope I’ll find the same everlasting love as my great-great grandparents Gracie and Roberto who still live together at a nursing home and my parents Grace and David who hold hands and kiss each other goodnight. Until then, I dream of a love like theirs somewhere in my future.

© Sheilagh Lee February 6, 2013